No generation gap for adult, children day care

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) Â? On a recent Wednesday morning, 2-year-old J.T. Burzynski was seen Â? and heard Â? doing his own version of Â?American IdolÂ? at the Fremont Center in Bay CityÂ?s South End.

His song choice?

A classic ditty that goes something like this: Â?I know a farmer who had a dog and Bingo was his name-o ...Â?

With the karaoke microphone held close to his mouth, J.T. sang his heart out and giggled as he entertained senior citizens from Golden Horizons adult day care.

The youngster wasnÂ?t alone in his entertainment efforts. He was one of several toddlers and preschoolers spending time with the seniors, singing, interacting and playing with homemade Play-doh.

The fun exchanges between the seniors and the youngsters who attend day care on the other end of the old Fremont School take place every week. And the seniors love it.

Â?This is so good for the little ones. I just love it,Â? said Joan Newlin, 67, of Bay City. Â?ItÂ?s wonderful. I love children anyway.Â?

Mary Jacobs, 79, of Munger, said that while homemade clay is a little messy for her taste, she enjoys spending time with the lively group of youngsters.

Â?I had six of my own,Â? she said. Â?I like kids. We always have fun with them.Â?

The idea to mix the two generations started years ago with a foster grandparenting program, said Peggy Condon Watson, executive director of the Bay County Child & Senior Citizen Centers. The private nonprofit organization includes Golden Horizons senior center and child-care accommodations at the Fremont Center, Center Plaza and Totsville.

Since then, the program, only offered at the Fremont Center, has blossomed. Children come in small groups to play and visit with the seniors at least twice a week. Young and old play, sing and chat their way through the day. And occasionally, seniors, youngsters and their families get together for big functions like ice cream socials, Cinco de Mayo celebrations and a Christmas show.

The benefits are almost too numerous to mention, Watson said.

Seniors are rejuvenated as they remember raising their own children, and those who may not get along particularly well with other seniors or even with staff members can be completely different in the presence of a child, said Stacy McIntyre, program coordinator for Golden Horizons.

Â?It just seems to be spontaneous interaction,Â? she said. Â?When you get the children, they just feel comfortable.Â?

The kids learn to be accepting of things like canes, wheelchairs and walkers, and are in their glory soaking up the smiles, love and undivided attention.

Â?They are just so excited to try new things and see new things,Â? Watson said, Â?ItÂ?s a nice fit.Â?

Parents praise the program as well.

Â?At first I thought thatÂ?s kind of odd and I had a little concern,Â? said Dee Burzynski of Bay City, J.T.Â?s mom. But all moms and dads have to do is watch the kids and adults interact to see the programÂ?s positive influences, she said.

Â?He just has a blast with them there,Â? Burzynski said of her son. Â?I gotta say itÂ?s a great mix. I just think itÂ?s awesome.Â?

Deanne Andres of Saginaw Township, said her 5-year-old son has been going to the Fremont Center since he was 5 months old.

Â?I think itÂ?s great. My son loves going down there,Â? she said. Â?They call them the grandmas and grandpas, the people they go visit with.Â?

Watson said she canÂ?t think of one drawback.

Â?ItÂ?s well-structured. ItÂ?s well-supervised,Â? she said. Â?I see it as a trend for the future.Â?

Watson said the program was the first of its kind in 1982 and has been studied ever since.

Â?We were used as a model for intergenerational programs throughout Michigan and across the country,Â? she said. Â?WeÂ?ve had people from all over come to see these programs. We take a lot of pride in this. WeÂ?ve worked hard to keep this going.Â?